I Was Helping My Friend When His Wife Cheated On Him, But He Claimed He Would Forgive Her Once, But The Bad Luck Keeps Coming - Episode 13

Since I was little, my father was not at home.

It was just the two of us, a mother and child, but we were never lonely.

Life was tough, and our small apartment was definitely poorer compared to other families with children my age.

Even in such an environment, I didn’t get swept away by negative emotions, didn’t engage in delinquent behavior, and had very few rebellious phases against my parents because my mother was truly powerful and strong.

We fought a lot, but to avoid falling out, both my mother and I were working hard together, openly sharing our true feelings and trying to improve, like a two-person relay of a parent and child.

From elementary school to high school, and now… I think one reason I was able to live without making mistakes is because of my childhood friend, Koichi, who has always been by my side.

He’s not stupid, but he’s quick to pick fights, has a big heart, and it’s hard to tell if he’s reliable or not.

An older brother who leans more towards the younger brother? Really, you’re so mismatched and hard to ignore.

We both had romantic feelings for each other, but I feel like we just dragged it out until we graduated high school, maintaining a comfortable relationship.

In reality, rather than having such a sweet atmosphere in high school, there was a possibility that I might have ended my own life.

I dedicated myself to my studies and club activities, and the teachers liked me.

In that case, saying “stand out” might be an exaggeration, but you will definitely get more attention.

When you are noticed and relied upon, you work hard in response and become even more noticed.

And even though the person didn’t want it, envy and jealousy were attracted to them.

To put it simply, I was bullied.

It’s normal for things to get lost or broken.

Assaults in hallways, restrooms, and blind spots within the school.

There were times when water was splashed on me.

They must have known that my family was a poor single-parent household.

“They spread all sorts of outrageous rumors, like ‘She’s an easy prostitute’ and ‘She’ll do it for a tenth of the going rate.'”

Close friends and teachers who were kind to me didn’t believe such rumors and quickly addressed the issue with the entire grade.

But, even though I couldn’t find the source of the rumors or any evidence, and I could identify the main group behind it… the people who see me as their enemy, I couldn’t expose them.

Insidious, cunning, sly, just because someone is smart doesn’t mean their personality reflects that. Once formed, can a person’s character even be changed?

My mom was really worried too, but I can’t afford to take the long way around if I want to get into college, find a job, and make things easier for her.

If it gets too hard, I’ll give up right away, I tried to convince myself it wasn’t a big deal… But there’s no way I’m going to lose, no way I’m going to give in. I am my mother’s daughter, the person I respect and love the most in this world, and I will never back down to you guys.

Until just before graduation, Koichi would confront any student spreading rumors, almost jeopardizing his own graduation.

Even though I’ve been putting up with it and not responding, they keep saying that there’s less than a year left.

You idiot, you’re such an idiot, I can’t just leave you alone, I shouldn’t be happy about this… but I was happy.

By this time, it was clear that I liked Koichi, wasn’t it?

After enduring and enduring, I finally confessed to Koichi on the day of our graduation and took him right then and there. Maybe because we were both frustrated, even though it was our first time, we went all the way. We even drank the nutrients I had bought in advance and made him drink them too―――

The truth is, it was painful and difficult and I didn’t want to trouble those around me. If I were alone… I couldn’t endure it at all. Thoughts of oneself crossed my mind, and on the contrary, I thought of those bastards… a snake with soulless eyes whispered within me.

The reason I was able to stop that snake from baring its fangs was because my beloved mother, Koichi, friends, and teachers were there for me… I can only feel gratitude.

After entering university, I started seriously dating Koichi, made close friends with Akari and Sumire, and also made male friends named Takeshi and Tomoya.

I worked part-time, hung out with friends, and of course, focused on my studies.

That university life was truly enjoyable.

Because I overcame the tough times in high school, I have the happiness I have now. I probably won’t have to deal with those kinds of people anymore, and if they do show up, I’ll just stand up to them.

My enjoyable university life also went by in the blink of an eye.

And for my future, I chose to become a teacher at a special needs school.

My primary goal was to get into a good company and make my mother comfortable, but I also felt drawn to the teaching profession.

I got into a university where I could choose this option and earned credits, but… I kept wavering.

The thought of wanting to get back at the person who bullied me, and yet here I am, teaching and nurturing others.

When I consulted with my mom, “Go down the path Ayaka loves. I’m not so old that I need to be supported by my daughter,” she laughed it off.

From Koichi,

“Ayaka only thought about it and stopped. If she could stop it, then she should take it upon herself to teach and pass it on as her own lesson. Ayaka’s experience might just help someone else’s hardship,” they encouraged me.

I am so fortunate. The happiness of being supported by my mother and Koichi.

I can pursue the path I want to take. Let’s do our best… that’s what I thought.

Since becoming a teacher, it has been much more difficult and busier than I imagined, and I almost gave up, but it has been fulfilling.

The children, despite having various disabilities or leading lives full of hardships, possessed a freedom and kindness that were not bound by such things.

They were all kids who would bite and scratch my arms and were quite a handful.

They were like teachers to me, always teaching me so much and helping me learn.

In the midst of such a life, my mother collapsed and was hospitalized.

Since I became independent, I had been reducing my mother’s working hours so she could take it easy… and now she has fallen seriously ill.

He must have sensed his impending death… He kept worrying about me, knowing that I would be left alone after he was gone.

I had an inkling, so I consulted with Koichi and asked if it would be okay to move up the wedding to reassure my mother. “Right?” I thought it was rude and the worst, but Koichi was laughing.

“I know you care about your mother-in-law the most, and I know you’re not neglecting me. If you can make the person who will become your mother-in-law happy, then I would be grateful. Ayaka, please marry me. I will make you happy. And your mother-in-law too… it’s not a matter of order, let’s be greedy.”

I’m glad I didn’t give up back then.

Thanks to the help of many people and my hard work, I was able to catch such a wonderful person.

It’s embarrassing to think back on how I dragged Koichi to my mother while still crying.

The look of relief on my mother’s face when she saw me and Koichi is something I will never forget.

I couldn’t show her the wedding, but I was able to send her off with peace of mind.

I wanted to be even more filial and show them my child’s face.

I was very sad, but in the end, my mother said she was satisfied and told me to be happy.

I think I will live with my mother’s wishes in my heart.

After my mother’s funeral, I decided against having the wedding immediately after the mourning period.

My father-in-law and mother-in-law also said it was fine for us to do as we please, but since both Koichi and I have become busy with work, we would have gone ahead with it before my mother passed away, but now we feel there’s no need to rush.

Koichi and I both thought about just registering our marriage, but we decided to make engagement rings and wear them for each other.

Vaguely, if we could continue living without any disturbances. Growing older peacefully with friends alongside Koichi, with our adorable, troublesome children…

The snake that was inside me, has it gone somewhere… or has it fallen asleep?

One day, there was a farewell party for a teacher who had worked at the school for many years.

We prepared a drinking party to bid farewell, but I think it was a pleasant gathering.

Unexpectedly, I was spoken to at that store.

I didn’t want to be involved. She was the ringleader who bullied me back then.

“Oh, Ayaka-chan, is that you? Do you remember me, your high school classmate?”

“…I remember. It was you, Sakurai-san, wasn’t it?”

Forget… impossible. That face.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s been a while~ so nostalgic~. How have you been?”

“Well, if you say I’m doing well, then I am… Anyway, I have to get going.”

“What is that, so weird~. Since we finally met, let’s chat a bit more~”

At that time, I should have just cut it off, even if it meant being disliked. But my role as an educator… got in the way. In the end, I stayed there. Unbeknownst to me, it would become the source of my regret.

“I heard from a friend that Ayaka-chan became a school teacher. She was really smart, after all. She was also good at flattering people~”

It hasn’t changed… I shouldn’t get involved. I need to at least respond and leave this place.

“…it’s a fulfilling job.”

“Oh, really? But special care facilities? There are a lot of strange kids there, right? Isn’t it dangerous?”

In an instant, my head boiled over.

I should have encountered people like this many times before.

“What are you saying!? Stop talking about the kids like they’re dangerous people!”

“Sorry, sorry, don’t get mad. I don’t know much about it, but it seemed scary. But I just thought Ayaka-chan, who works in such a place, is amazing.”

“Stop saying terrible things without really knowing! Is that all there is to say? Well then.”

It was a waste of time. Let’s wrap this up and get out of here immediately…

“Wait, wait. There’s no need to rush. Ayaka-chan, I was worried because you were bullied in high school, and it must have been tough for you and your mom to manage everything by yourselves.”

You mustn’t get caught up in his words.

“Yeah, but it’s not a big deal anymore, so no need to worry.”

“Oh, I see~. That’s right. It’s good that your mother passed away early, so it must have helped you too, right, Ayaka-chan?”

！？

“I don’t want to take care of my parents, you know? That’s why Ayaka-chan is so lucky. I wish my parents would go early too. Seriously, I’m so envious.”

“Are you serious? You really want your parents to die?”

“I didn’t say anything like that, did I? It’s scary, Ayaka-chan. I just thought it would be nice if it were true.”

What is this woman talking about?

“She struggled with being a single parent, was bullied in high school, and dealt with strange kids—Ayaka-chan is amazing. But in the end, she passed away early out of parental love, thinking of Ayaka-chan. She was a good mother, wasn’t she?”

I almost lost my temper.

I haven’t felt such pure anger since high school. But back then, it was mixed with anger and self-destruction, so it was even more…

“Oh, I have to go now~. See you later~. It’s so funny that the daughter of a useless mother is raising a useless child. Good luck, Ayaka-chan, bye-bye~.”

No.

…No.

I’m going to go to Koichi right now and have him hug me.

You shouldn’t get caught up in things like this.

You mustn’t be swallowed.

If you remember, it’s no good.

The feeling of shutting myself in and becoming murky.

Everything feels so indifferent, and I wonder how I can end my life without causing any trouble to others.

If I kill them, I’ll be free… those days when I thought that.

The snake inside me, flicking its tongue, was looking at me with those inorganic eyes. Black, pitch-black eyes.

Black, as if swallowing everything without reflecting anything.

As it gradually approaches, that long and large thing wraps around my body…

No, no, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no,

What could be wrong… There’s nothing wrong, right?

The snake whispered to me.

Even once
If you get caught up in evil
I can’t even wash it off.

That stain called evil will not disappear.

Because it will become a scar.